Chapter 3

Cayden couldn't understand what had happened today. He cried silently in my arms and asked me if Leo didn't want him anymore and if I was the only person in the world who loved him.

I held him tightly. "That's not true. Many people love my little hero.

"Grandpa Alex and Grandma Bella miss us very much. They can't wait to see you. Do you want to leave with me and go find them?"

He hesitated, clutching the toy car Leo had given him last year for his birthday. "But… I don't want to leave Daddy…"

I held back my tears and gently reassured him, "Daddy and Grandma Patricia don't want us to stay here. Do you want to call him Uncle Leo for the rest of your life?"

He froze for a moment, then slowly put down the toy car. Tears welled up in his eyes as he pleaded with me, "Can I at least spend this birthday with Daddy before we leave? I just want one last memory with him."

He refused to call him "Uncle Leo".

I silently wiped away my tears and kissed the top of his head. "Of course, my love."

But two days later, on his birthday, Leo, who had promised to throw him a party, never showed up.

I called him and asked angrily, "It's Cayden's birthday today. You promised you'd be home. Where are you?"

I could handle disappointment but couldn't bear to see Cayden's last bit of hope shatter.

Leo didn't say a single word before hanging up.

"Daddy's not coming, is he?" Cayden lowered his head, staring at the cake before him while trying to convince himself.

"It's okay, Mommy. Uncle Leo is just really busy. You can celebrate with me instead."

It was the first time he'd ever called Leo "Uncle".

He seemed to accept that Leo didn't want him anymore, but the way he bit his lip and forced a smile shattered my heart into pieces.

Furious, I was about to call him again when I suddenly received a message from him.

"Come back to Blazetooth Pack."

"Baby, look! Daddy remembered your birthday!"

Cayden's eyes lit up with hope as he gasped in excitement. "Mommy! Daddy remembered my birthday! Let's go! He must have so many presents for me!"

After receiving confirmation from Leo that he had indeed prepared a birthday party, Cayden was beyond ecstatic. He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the villa in the pack.

But as soon as I stepped inside, my heart sank at the sight before me.

The room was filled with roses. Guests in formal attire mingled around.

This didn't feel like a birthday party at all. It felt more like…

Cayden, however, didn't notice. He ran straight toward Leo, who was standing in front of a cake, and threw himself into his arms.

"Daddy! I'm here! Are you waiting for me to cut the cake?"

Leo looked utterly shocked to see us. "Why are you here?"

He was dressed in his formal suit and standing next to Jasmin. His reaction confirmed my worst fear.

The guests began whispering amongst themselves.

"Isn't today supposed to be Alpha Leo's announcement of his Luna? Why is there suddenly a kid here?"

"That child called him Daddy. Could he be an illegitimate son?"

Hearing their words, Leo suddenly pushed Cayden away. "What did you just call me?"

Cayden stumbled backward, falling to the floor. He looked up at Leo, terrified, unsure of what he had done wrong.

This was too much.

I rushed forward to pick him up, ready to leave, but Jasmin stepped in front of me. "Mia, today is the official announcement of Leo's and my titles. You crashed the event on purpose, didn't you?"

The smug smirk on her face told me everything I needed to know.

She was the one who had sent that text.

She clung to Leo's arm and said in a voice dripping with mockery, "I've warned you before. No matter how much you love our Alpha, you can't just drag some stray in here and claim he's his child.

"I'm right, aren't I, Leo?"

Leo avoided my gaze and nodded.

I held my sobbing son close, my patience finally snapping. "Cayden is not a stray. I gave birth to him.

"And his father was a great Alpha. Far greater than anyone in this little pack."

I carried Cayden and turned to leave, but Jasmin suddenly slapped me across the face.

"How dare you lie? You're just some outsider trash! We took you and your brat in.

"Is this how you repay us? Spreading lies about our Alpha and insulting our pack? Someone come and beat her!"

The members of the pack rushed forward, pinning me to the ground. Their fists rained down on me mercilessly.

Through the pain, I looked up at Leo with red eyes and found that his face was filled with hesitation as Jasmin clung tightly to his arm.

I didn't owe him anything anymore.

Seven years ago, he saved my life and loved me with all his heart since then.

But all of that—all the love, all the memories—had been shattered under their fists.

Cayden sobbed desperately. He grabbed onto Leo's pant leg and suddenly dropped to his knees.

"Uncle—no, Alpha Leo! I was wrong! Please, I beg you, stop hurting my mommy!"

Both Leo and I were stunned.

"Stop!" Leo immediately ordered them to back off, staring at Cayden like he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"What did you just call me?"

"Alpha Leo, since Mommy and I are not welcome here, we'll leave now."

It was like he had grown up in an instant. His tiny hands trembled as he helped me stand and guided me out of the villa under everyone's watchful eyes.

A message from Leo popped up on my phone. "Don't be mad. Take Cayden home. I'll come back tonight."

Cayden ignored the message. He held back his tears as he looked at me and asked, "Mommy, you said Grandpa Alex and Grandma Bella miss us, right?

"Then let's leave right now."

I looked at Cayden, who suddenly became mature, and swallowed hard as I nodded.

That night, I burned everything that tied us to this place.

And then, I took him and left for good.